What are the principal causes of nervousness in young infants and in
children? The brain is a delicate structure at this time, and it grows
rapidly, and during the first year of life grows as much as during all the
rest of life. This needs quiet and peaceful surroundings and infants who
are naturally nervous should be left almost alone, and few people should
see them. Such babies should not play much. The poor little baby is often
so tried by the attentions given him by older people that he does not know
what to do, and as one author, a lady, says: "If he could speak he would
beg for a quiet hour, and be perfectly happy if left alone with his own
little hands and toes for his sole amusement." Babies of the very poor are
less nervous than those of the wealthy and this is generally due to the
fact that their mothers are too busy to constantly entertain and bother
them. Children are better companions for babies than adults. Such little
attentions given by the parents and relatives make sleepless and nervous
babies very often. Playing with them before time and out of season, makes
them not only nervous and irritable, but causes indigestion and allied
diseases.